doda Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio Report for March 2026 and Q4 2025

"doda" (Editor-in-Chief: Takafumi Sakurai), a job change service operated by Persol Career Co., Ltd., announces the "doda Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio" report summarizing the job change market for March 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2025 (January to March). doda Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio Report The doda Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio indicates the supply-demand balance in the mid-career hiring market, calculated by determining how many mid-career job openings exist per registered doda member (job seeker). *The numbers of job openings and job seekers are calculated based on doda's proprietary definitions. [Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio (Overall) / Number of Job Openings / Number of Job Seekers] Overview for March 2026 Job openings-to-applicants ratio: 2.39 (Month-over-month difference: -0.01 points; Year-over-year difference: -0.12 points) Number of job openings: +0.8% MoM, +9.2% YoY Number of job seekers: +1.3% MoM, +14.5% YoY The number of job openings increased from the previous month in 9 out of 12 industries (excluding "Others"). The largest increase was in "HR Services" (102.1% MoM), followed by "Retail/Distribution" (101.4% MoM). By occupation, 10 out of 11 occupations (excluding "Others") saw an increase from the previous month. The largest increase was in "Clerical/Assistant" (102.5% MoM), followed by "Engineers (Mechanical/Electrical)" and "Professionals (Chemical/Food)" (101.8% MoM). doda Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio, Number of Job Openings, and Number of Job Seekers Commentary and Future Outlook (doda Editor-in-Chief: Takafumi Sakurai) - Commentary on March 2026 The number of job openings in March increased and remained at a high level. By industry, "HR Services" showed the largest increase (102.1%), with notable hiring activity for corporate sales positions mainly at outsourcing companies and companies providing job change services. Behind this is an increase in companies resuming or expanding hiring around February based on new fiscal year business plans. Furthermore, a review of hiring targets is progressing. There is a strengthening shift from hiring that includes young and inexperienced individuals to hiring centered on experienced sales personnel who are ready for action. This suggests an attitude where companies prioritize securing personnel capable of training and management in anticipation of future new graduate hiring. The number of job seekers is also increasing. Behind this, it is believed that due to soaring crude oil prices against the backdrop of Middle East tensions, material supply anxieties, and the weak yen, anxiety grew out of macroeconomic uncertainty, mainly in the "Retail/Distribution" and "Manufacturer" industries, leading to an increase in people taking the step to change jobs. Both job openings and job seekers increased, but because the growth rate of job seekers was higher, the job openings-to-applicants ratio declined. - Commentary on Q4 2025 (January to March) Compared to the previous quarter (October to December 2025), the industry with the largest increase in job openings was "Leisure/Dining" (106.1%). In "Dining," the movement to strengthen hiring continues against the backdrop of chronic labor shortages and the response to inbound demand remaining at a high level. In addition, domestic new store openings and business expansions continue, with an increasing number of companies developing multi-format brands combining izakaya, yakiniku, cafes, etc., and developing new brands. Such efforts lead not only to expanded revenue opportunities but also to the creation of positions like store managers. Furthermore, business plans with an eye on overseas expansion are becoming common, especially among major companies. It is believed that the combination of these movements resulted in continued high recruitment needs even in the fourth quarter of 2025. While the number of job seekers decreased month-over-month in each month of the previous quarter (October-December 2025), it turned positive month-over-month for three consecutive months from January to March. As high prices prolong, expanding movements to review current employment environments and careers out of anxiety for the future can be cited as a factor. - Outlook from April 2026 Onwards In April, while corporate hiring activities take a breather with the start of the new fiscal year, it is believed that a certain number of people will start considering changing jobs triggered by fiscal year-end retirements and personnel transfers. In addition, registrations to job change sites by new working adults immediately after joining companies are expected to increase following last year*. Under these circumstances, as the growth in job openings stabilizes, the number of job seekers is expected to remain flat, and the job openings-to-applicants ratio is expected to remain flat or slightly decrease. * "Job Change Site Registration Trends of New Working Adults" 2025 Edition [Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio (by Industry/Occupation) / March 2026] [Job Opening Growth Rate (by Industry/Occupation) / March 2026] [Job Openings-to-Applicants Ratio (by Industry/Occupation) / Q4 2025 (January-March)] [Job Opening Growth Rate (by Industry/Occupation) / Q4 2025 (January-March)] Commentator Profile: doda Editor-in-Chief Takafumi Sakurai